Motorists in Jersey will be permanently banned from the roads if they are involved in hit-and-run collisions and fail to stop. However, experts at Rooster Insurance have questioned whether the UK could soon follow suit in a bid to make Britain’s roads safer.
No changes are in the pipeline, but a successful run in Jersey could convince some politicians to investigate the issue. Under current rules, motorists involved in hit-and-run cases are likely to be slapped with custodial sentences, penalty points, or fines, but are not permanently banned from driving.
Speaking on TikTok, Rooster Insurance said: “A new lifetime driving ban law has left people wondering if the UK will follow suit. Jersey has just introduced a new law for hit-and-run drivers. Now, if you cause a serious or fatal crash and drive off without helping or reporting it you could be banned from driving for life.
“This new law was passed unanimously in Jersey’s state assembly and the message is clear that driving is a privilege and not a right. Jersey is British but not part of the UK, so the question remains, should the UK follow suit. Should the UK introduce a rule like this, and would a lifetime ban make UK roads safer?”
Politicians in Jersey unanimously backed the proposal to introduce a lifetime ban back in May 2025. Jersey’s State Assembly argued that a lifetime ban is a serious legal measure and can be justified for several reasons.
Officials claimed that dangerous driving shows a reckless disregard for safety, and allowing someone to drive again could pose a threat to others. They claimed there is also an “increased potential for harm” with road users more “likely to repeat dangerous driving behaviours”.
This would make it “essential to keep them off the road” and permanently reduce the risk of further harm. Deputy Catherine Curtis of St Helier Central stressed the new rule would help bring justice to those affected.
She said: “I’m bringing a proposition for lifetime driving bans for drivers who fail to stop and assist someone who they’ve seriously injured in a road traffic incident. I want the roads to be safer, and I want justice for victims and their families.”
According to officials, Jersey has the highest road casualty rate in Britain. During the past five years, there have been nine fatalities and 242 serious injuries on the roads across the island. However, motorists have claimed new legislation would simply be ignored by criminals who had no regard for the rules.
TikTok user @aidy_uk said: “Driving laws are like burglary laws, they’re only for the law-abiding, the criminals will ignore them without any consequences. We don’t need more laws, we need more consequences.”
@sss86030 added: “Pretty sure if you’re not bothered about running someone over, you won’t be that concerned about driving without a licence.”